After Lunch on Castaway Cay

[Debonna]

Hi all, we are sailing on the Dream in June. This will be our second Disney cruise and second time on the Dream. Last time, the BBQ on Castaway was meh, so we definitely want to stay onboard for the lunch buffet. Then maybe spend some time at the beach until time for all aboard. Do the beach areas thin out after lunchtime on Castaway? What would be a good time to go ashore? Should we aim for the first beach area near the kids' clubs or more toward Cookies II? Finding four loungers near the water with shade would be ideal, but we're flexible.

 

[Cheburashka]

You'll be sailing in summer, when afternoon rain showers are common. For that reason, I don't recommend waiting until afternoon to go ashore.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Yes, beach crowds definitely thin out in the afternoon.

Agree with @Cheburashka that you’ll want to watch the weather. Afternoon storms are very common summer afternoons.

 

[dad of 3 addicted to DCL]

We usually do it the other way round. We try to rope drop heading out to the island, snorkel, hang out, sleep in the sun .

Late lunch back on the ship when the crowds get a bit much on the island.

 

[Chipmunkmaniac]

Hi all, we are sailing on the Dream in June. This will be our second Disney cruise and second time on the Dream. Last time, the BBQ on Castaway was meh, so we definitely want to stay onboard for the lunch buffet. Then maybe spend some time at the beach until time for all aboard. Do the beach areas thin out after lunchtime on Castaway? What would be a good time to go ashore? Should we aim for the first beach area near the kids' clubs or more toward Cookies II? Finding four loungers near the water with shade would be ideal, but we're flexible.

I do the opposite: get a big breakfast, get off early and return for a late lunch on the ship (like the tacos they have now on the Dream or something small from cabanas if that is still open by the time I get there

 

[bakerworld]

It seems to us that the majority of the crowds returning to the ship is around 3p so that doesn't indicate an available beach to us. We always stay AFT.

 

[Marthasor]

Consider rethinking your strategy so you can maximize your CC day. I would do a big breakfast, go to CC, snack at CC if need be and then a late lunch on the ship if you really don't like the CC food. IMHO, all DCL food is meh . . . I wouldn't plan my beach day around it.

 

[Mle8308]

Castaway Cay is always a highlight, I would not prioritize a meal over the experience of the island. The DCL food isn't that good.

 

[Debonna]

Castaway Cay is always a highlight, I would not prioritize a meal over the experience of the island. The DCL food isn't that good.

We agree—Castaway is beautiful—but we’re not really “lounge on the beach all day” people, and we enjoy the quieter ship while most guests are ashore. We also prefer the variety of food onboard—things like pasta, crab legs, and pizza—especially since the BBQ didn’t wow us last time. I’ve got two ravenous teens who love the buffet options, so it’s a better fit for our crew.

 

[jwalk03]

I am more of a get off the ship at Castaway Cay the moment I can; and get back on the ship right at all aboard time.

On my last cruise my family and I were literally the last 4 guests still on the island. We walked up the gangway to board the ship at 5:45PM exactly!

The security people said we were the very last family and started closing up shop as soon as we were on board.

Got some great pictures of a completely empty Castaway Cay on our way back to the ship!

 

[tvguy]

Yeah, rain would be my concern. It sprinkled all day when we were on Castaway Cay and we were amazed how many people never got off the ship. We spent all morning snorkeling, so rain wasn't and issue. Had lunch, and went bike riding in the afternoon in our bathing suits, so again, the rain was no issue for us.

 

[jwalk03]

 

[Chemist]

My perception was that well before all ashore, they started cleaning up the island. Ice cream machine, soda machines... I agree with the others... I'd have an hearty breakfast, spend the morning on the island and go back for a late lunch.

 

[Mags2002]

My perception was that well before all ashore, they started cleaning up the island. Ice cream machine, soda machines... I agree with the others... I'd have an hearty breakfast, spend the morning on the island and go back for a late lunch.

Yes, this happens so the crew can clean/pack up etc on the island and still make it back on the ship to get changed and be ready to work onboard. Castaway day (and Lookout too) is a LONG and HARD day for most of the crew

 

[jwalk03]

My perception was that well before all ashore, they started cleaning up the island. Ice cream machine, soda machines... I agree with the others... I'd have an hearty breakfast, spend the morning on the island and go back for a late lunch.

Yes all the food options close by ~2. Everything was closed on our way back to the ship at all aboard time. But we had done all our souvenir shopping earlier in the day knowing they would be closed before our walk back to the ship.

The family beach closed at 530 for our 545 all aboard time.